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Nadya Skylung and the Masked Kidnapper

illus. by Brett Helquist. 336p. Putnam. Jun. 2019. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781524738686.
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Gr 5 Up—Nadya Skylung has always been a leader on her ship and a great caretaker of its cloud garden. But recently, she faced a setback when she and her crew defeated pirates: she lost her leg. Nadya is adjusting to life with "the lady," as she affectionately calls her leg stump, and also facing conflict with her best friend Pep, who feels that she hogs the spotlight and does not listen well to others. Nadya gains hope at the possibility of a prothesis made for her at the port of Far Agondy. However, she and her crew soon realize that they have an even bigger problem. A notorious gang leader known as Silvermask is kidnapping skylung and cloudling children in the area, and their trip to Far Agondy might not be as safe as they had hoped. Captain Nic is tightening up the ship, and fear grabs hold of the whole crew. Then, Silvermask kidnaps one of Nadya's friends, even though he really wanted her. Nadya resolves to set the situation right and defeat Silvermask for good. Will her strength, determination, and leadership skills once again lead her and her friends to victory?
VERDICT An entertaining and engaging fantasy adventure that deals sensitively with the topic of disability. Will appeal to late elementary and early middle school fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series and similar middle grade speculative fiction.

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